Multiple selector switch



Aug. 16, 1949. P, F. MCDONALD 2,479,014

MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH Filed Jan. 15, 1945 3 Shets-Sheet l Aug. 16, 1949.

P. F. MCD NALD 7 ,47 ,014

MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 19 45 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nventor jaaz fMZIoIZ 411%- I Aug. 16, 1949.

F. MCDONALD 2,479,014

MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH I Filed Jan. 13, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 16, 1949 MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH Paul F. McDonald,

Omaha, Nebr., assignor to The Keller Company, Council Bluffs, Iowa Application January 13, 19 5, Serial No. 572,630

2 Claims. l

The invention relates to improvements in multiple switch units having particular reference to switch actuator means of the selector type especially adaptable to small radio assemblies and essentially to crystal holder sets.

The object of the invention is directed to the providing of a selector switch, housing a plurality of individual and separate selective switch units controlling single and individual circuits therein.

A further object of the invention lies in the providing of a small and compact switch casing or cabinet, displacing manually actuated mechanical means for selecting any one of a mlmber of circuits in a radio hook-up of the crystal holder, single station selector type, and manual control means for re-setting the individual contactor units to their normal or out of contact line positions thereof.

The invention also contemplates a selector switch structure readily fabricated, economical in production and one consisting of any number of circuit control elements, the said device being manifoldly applicable to proper frequency modulations effecting selected and individually identifiable radio broadcasting stations.

Other and obvious objects of the invention will appear as the description progresses.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a face elevation of the selector switch casing, having a series of separate and single circuit reception tubes mounted therein, and a plurality of individually actionable switch units therefor,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the switch casing and of the position thereon of a crystal holder therefor,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a multiple switch unit on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 of the drawings,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the switch contact locker bar therefor,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the circuit selectors .or lever-like arms therefor,

Figure 6 is a plan elevation of the multiple switch casing, showing the relative positions thereon of a plurality of single contactors and the lever arms therefor, together with the series of plug-in apertures for each circuit crystal holder thereof, and

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the switch structure, the operating mechanism therefor, and the position assumed by such mechanism when any one of the switch arms are actuated to effect the completion of a circuit through the contactors for any one of the circuits selected.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate similar and like parts of the structure throughout the several views of the drawings.

In said drawings and with reference to the device as shown, Ill designates a casing consisting of a front panel ll, end sections l2 therefor, and a top panel is of compact form and capable of mounting as desired, said panel I l therefor having formed therewith pre-cut ears [4 with apertures therein for mounting purposes, and an in- 'wardly turned shelf portion I5 arranged for other components of the structure.

The selector switch as a unit is applicable to and lends itself technically to two way radio circuit control, in that it will function admirably for transmission as well as reception, and the actuating means therefor comprises a pivotal rod [5 mounted in the winged projections I6 of casing ends l2, said rod l5 having mounted thereon and in pivotal relation thereto, a plurality of forwardly extending knife-like and lever shaped selector arms l1 spaced apart by insulator means to form a series of snap switch actuators. The front panel I l of the casing ID has cut therein a series of slots l8 through which the actuating fingers IQ of said arms protrude, said arms having formed in its respective blade portion 20 at the rear end thereof, contact bosses 2| and depending legs 22, the lower perimeters of which receive one end of contractive springs 23, the latters opposite end being mounted on pin 24 carried by said ends l2 of the casing structure, said blade portion of said selector arms thereof having also formed therewith depending escapement pawls 25 having riding faces 26 and locking slots 2! for a locker bar, the features of which are hereinafter described.

28 designates a transversely disposed locker and releasing bar, consisting of a cross-piece member 29, and apertured vertically extending and swinging arms 30 by which said bar is pivoted to supporting pins in the body of ends H of the casing I0, said cross-piece 29 having riveted thereto and spaced apart thereon insulator blocks 3| upon which said selector arms rest when all are in their respective normal positions as well as when a single switch is in operative contact in any one of the independent circuits .or in line on a given predetermined wave length or broadcasting station, one of said arms having attached thereto a lug 32 arranged to receive the plunger 33 of a spring controlled push-button 34, the object of which is to form a releasing means for any one or all of the independent switch selector means, the positioning of said locker and releasing bar being controlled by contractive spring 35 one end of which is attached to one of the end arms 30, and its opposite end to the back of panel II of the switch casing l0.

Insulator panel 13 has cut therein the usual nested terminal lug apertures 36, for crystal holders 31 therefor, snap contacts 38 adjacent thereto and riveted to the body of said panel by capped pins 39, the rear edge of said panel l3 having mounted thereon contact or contactor plates 40 with foot clips 4| as the primary contact members of the device, and with which the contact boss 21 of levered selector arms ll make and break contact when in actuating or thrown-in contact therewith.

The shelf portion iii of the casing 10 has mounted thereon auxiliary switch contacts 42, insulated therefrom and riveted thereon, the extended snap blades 43 thereof serving as the contactors with the body of the blade-like body 20 of the selector arms I1 and the lower tip end of the escapement pawl 25 of the mechanized actuator components of the device.

Each one of the unit actuating switches constitute a single circuit control for a given frequency volume, and thusly a single breaking into the wave lengths media of any given broadcasting station.

One of the features of the invention is its effectual and true mechanical action as a switch unit, since it eliminates arcing by the making and breaking of the contacts therein due to the gradual engagement of the surface of the selector arms with their respective contact factors.

The operation of the device is clearly defined in the combined manner of its description herein, and requires but little comment as to its highly efiective and useful functioning ability as a combined form of selector switch.

Obviously, the structure herein, its related cooperative components thereof, and elements employed may be altered and varied in many ways without departure from the scope of the claims forming part hereof.

What I claim is: V

r 1. A a multiple selector switch comprising a casing having an insulating plate, a plurality of circuit breakers mounted on said plate, insulating tabs associated with said circuit breakers, arms pivoted in said casing selectively engageable with said tabs, means for resiliently biasing said arms, an insulating block in said casing having switches mounted thereon, locking cam surfaces on said arms, a locking bar engageable with said locking cams, pivoted in said casing, insulating blocks secured to said bar and engageable with said switches while the locking bar is in the inoperative position, resilient means for urging said bar to the inoperative position, resiliently biased means associated with said casing for actuatin said bar.

2. A multiple selector switch comprising a casing having an insulating plate, a plurality of circuit breakers mounted on said plate, said circuit breakers including contacts and contactors, insulating tabs on each of said contactors, a pivot pin in said casing having a plurality of arms associated therewith, said arms selectively engaging said tabs, means for resiliently biasing said arms to an out of contact and inoperative position, an insulating block in said casing having switches mounted thereon, latch means on said arms, a locking bar pivoted in said casing and engageable with said locking means, insulating blocks on said bar engageable with said switches for actuation thereof when said contacts and contactors are in the circuit breaking position, means for resiliently urging said bar, resiliently biased means for pivotally actuating said bar, whereby upon actuation of a selected circuit breaker to the contact and contactor engaging position, a predetermined switch is opened and upon actuation of said resiliently biased bar actuating means, the selected circuit breaker and predetermined switch is reversely operated.

PAUL F. MCDONALD.

REFERENCES crran The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,081,686 Thomas May 25, 1937 2,245,388 Conron June10, 1941 2,297,819 Wagenknecht Oct. 6, 1942 2,340,117 Foster Jan. 25, 1944 2,347,315 Fill Apr. 25, 1944 

